Diamond DART (Series)

Diamond DART History (Series)

Before pilots can upgrade to jet type, they must complete a basic training course. As a result, there is still a lucrative market for such aircraft, and many companies have been vying for the top spot with various flying services (as well as flight schools and private buyers) around the world.

For Austria-based Diamond Aircraft, years of design and development work have created a viable entry into the field for the DART 450 (DART = Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer).

The DART 450 is a regular configuration for basic military trainers. The engine is forward, the cockpit is amidships, and there is a vertical tail in use. The wing main aircraft is set slightly forward amidships and has a straight configuration with truncated tips. The crew sit side by side under a lightly framed canopy that provides excellent visibility around the aircraft. Both positions are equipped with ejection seats.

The engine is of Ukrainian origin and drives a five-blade propeller unit on the nose. Chassis on wheels and fully retractable. The structure of the aircraft is mainly composite materials.

When fully constructed, the DART 450 measures 35.2 feet in length, 38.5 feet in wingspan and 11 feet in height. Curb weight is 2,935 lbs and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 5,070 lbs. Power comes from an Ivchenki-Progress Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop engine that propels the aircraft to speeds of 265 mph (up to 288 mph), with a service ceiling of up to 23,000 feet and a rate of climb of nearly 3,000 feet per minute.

Battery life of more than eight hours.

The DART 450 made its maiden flight on May 17, 2016 and will be a key exhibit at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The product is aimed at military and civilian markets.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes